Runway
The AI video flagship — generate shots from text, erase objects, rotoscope without a green screen.
AI video suite: text-to-video generation, background removal, inpainting and motion tools. Free tier with credits.
- Pricing
- Free plan with limited credits; paid plans add credits and features
- Platforms
- Web, iOS
- Category
- AI & Clips
- Last reviewed
- September 21, 2026
What is Runway?
Runway is the most serious creative-AI suite aimed at video: its Gen models turn text prompts or reference images into short video clips, and its editing tools do things that used to require VFX artists — removing backgrounds without a green screen, erasing objects from moving footage (inpainting), tracking motion, smoothing slow-motion with frame interpolation. It runs in the browser; there is nothing to install and no GPU to own.
Two honest caveats keep this from being magic. Generated video is measured in seconds, not scenes — it works as accent material (an establishing shot of a neon city, an abstract transition, visualizing something unfilmable), not as footage replacement. And quality varies per prompt: expect iterations, and the occasional uncanny artifact you'll want to cut around.
The free plan grants a limited pool of credits — enough to genuinely test both generation and the editing tools before paying — with some exports watermarked. Paid tiers add monthly credits, higher resolutions and commercial-use clarity per their terms. For creators, the highest-value free use is often not generation at all: the rotoscope and inpainting tools rescue shots (boom mic in frame, messy background) that would otherwise be cut.
Key features
- Text-to-video and image-to-video generation (Gen models)
- Green-screen rotoscoping without a green screen
- Inpainting: remove objects and people from footage
- Motion tracking and frame interpolation (slow-mo)
- Browser-based editor — no install, no GPU needed
- Free credits to test everything before paying
Free plan & limits
Free plan includes a limited credit pool (with watermarks on some exports) — enough for real experiments. Paid plans add monthly credits, resolution options and expanded commercial terms; check Runway's current license terms for monetization rules.
Who is it best for?
Creators needing impossible B-roll, quick VFX cleanup, and experimental visuals — used as spice in a normal editing workflow.
Frequently asked questions
Can I monetize videos containing Runway output?
Commercial rights depend on the plan and Runway's current terms — free-tier output has restrictions on some uses. Read the license page before publishing monetized content; paid tiers grant clearer commercial rights.
How many free credits do I get?
A one-time starter pool (the amount has changed over time) plus occasional promotions. It's enough for a batch of test generations and several rotoscope/inpaint jobs.
Is generated video good enough for real projects?
For short accent shots, transitions and stylized sequences, increasingly yes — hide it in quick cuts. For sustained, realistic hero footage, it still falls short; use it deliberately, not as camera replacement.